Check writing machine



' July 21, 1936. P. cATuccl 2,047,939

CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet l A'ITORNEYJuly 21, 1936.. R ATUC. 2,047,939

CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1932 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYJuly 21 1936.

P. CATUCCI CHE-CK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1932 9 SheetsSheet 3INVENTOR BY i L /M/.

ATTORNEY July 21, 193

P. ATuccl CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 4ATTORNEY y 1936. P. cATuccl I CHECK WRITING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Oct. 19, 1932 N INVENTOR ,"f BYfi /%a/d@ ATTORNEY July 21, 1936.P. cATuccl CHECK WRITING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet; 6

Filed Oct. 19, 1952 INVE TOR BY. v C;

,ATI'ORNEY July 21, 1936. P. CATUCCI CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct.19, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENT'OR ATTORNEY July 21, 1936. P, CATUCC]2,047,939

CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1952 9 Shets-Sheet a July 21, 1936.P. CAT-UCCI CHECK WRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1932 a 9 Sheets-Sheet 9Patented July 21, 1936 QFFIE 15 Claims.

Check writing machines are generally of two classes, one of which usesan independently rotatable type wheel which is manipulated'to form aprinting line representing the amount to be written on a check or thelike. The other class employs a plurality of type bearing bars mountedfor longitudinal shifting movement, which movement is normal to the lineof printing, the bars being moved into selective registration to form aprinting'line representing the amount to be written on the check. Thelatter class of check Writing machine is generally preferred and hasbeen found to be more efficient than the machine employing the rotatabletype wheel.

It is an object of my invention to overcome objections to theinefficiency of the inking mechanism generally used with machines of theclass employing straight type bearing bars, by providing an inkingmechanism having an absolutely uniform and unfailing action, whichenables the production of clear and perfectly inked numerals on checksor commercial paper and which mechanism enables the writing of a verylarge number of checks before re-inking is necessary. My inkingmechanism includes an inking element controlled by a predeterminedresilient pressure, which insures the spreading of the proper amount ofink over the type at each print without unnecessary waste of ink.

A further object is the provision of a check writing machine having asimple and novel mechanism by which is effectively controlled thesuccessive movements necessary for inking the characters on a printingline, scarifying the name of the payee, and pressing the printedcharacter into the body of the paper. The three steps, inking,scarifying, and printing, are each independently controlled and followone another in point of time, thus distributing the working strainthroughout the entire cycle and enabling the machine to be operatedsmoothly by exerting a light force upon an operating handle. A furtherobject is the provision of novel means of obtaining perfect horizontalalinement of the type bearing bars by placing the resting point whichreceives the printing pressure, closely adjacent the face of the type.This'feature prevents the tilting of the type bar and consequent pooralinement and printing. My expedient insures the faces of the typesbeing exactly on a common plane, which is essential for the uniformprinting of the entire face of each character.

Another object is to provide a simple pawl and ratchet mechanism whichinsures the smooth operation and proper registering of the typebearingbars, regardless of the direction in which the bars may be moved. Thisfeature obviates the necessity of error keys, and enables rapidoperation of the machine.

upward by a spring with a thrust sufiicient to balance the weight of thetype bar, which in turn is free to move in either direction and isalways ready to snap into place to register on the line of printing.This construction prevents the type bearing bars, when carelesslymanipulated, from being out of alinement by stopping midway betweencharacters. Another object is the provision of a serrated printingplaten mounted to freely rock to allow the serrations thereon to seatthemselves in mesh with the serrations on the type characters on theline of printing. This enables every point of the respective serratedsurfaces to be in proper pressing contact so that the ink in theserrations is spread evenly over every point of the printed figures.

A further object, is the provision of a simple gauge for accuratelyalining a check, the gauge being readily adjustable and preventing thecheck from being displaced out of line when printing takes place, theprinting being at all times parallel with the lines on the check.

A further object is the provision of means for readily indicating theposition of the line of printing on a check, this means comprising apointer which bears lightly on the check and oifers no resistance to theupward movement of the check to cause creasing or marring.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and novel means forfirmly clamping certain parts of the machine in a manner to enable theexerting of a powerful clamping action evenly distributed cross-wise ofthe machine, which in turn offers an even resistance to pressure on theentire printing line.

A further object is the provision of a scarifying device comprising anupper female matrix having a plurality of parallel grooves and a lowermale matrix having a plurality of spaced parallel rows of sharp pyramidsregistering with the grooves in the female matrix to enable the latterto be adjusted longitudinally relative to the machine withoutinterfering with proper scarifying action.

These and other advantageous objects, which will later appear, areaccomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described and exhibited in the accompanying drawings,forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my check writing ma chine Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of the machine,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine with the cover removed,

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the upper part of the machine showing thearrangement of the type bars thereon, r

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of spacing bars employed to space and.support the type bar,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a detail of a pawl and ratchetdevice used with the type bars,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a scarifying device, showing the methodof adjustably mounting the same, f

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the machine at rest, that is, beforemanipulating the handle tooperate the same,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the'position of the inking device andmatrices at the beginning of the cycle of operations for printingcharacters on a check, 5

V Fig. 10 is a sectional'view showing the next step in the printingoperation, the inking rollers being moved out of the way and thematrices being forced upwardly to perforate and print characters on'acheck,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing details of the mechanism when themachine is at rest,

Figs. 12, 13, '14 and 15, show positions assumed -by a lost motiondevice used in the mechanism for controlling the position of the rollersduring a cycle of operation,

Figs. 16, 1'7, and 18, are plan views of the machine showing thepositions assumed -by a second lost motion device usedin the-control ofthe inking mechanism, during a one-half cycle of -shown to include alower casing l, to which are pivotally connected links 2, the latterbeing :at-

tached to an upper casing "-3. The lower casing l is supported by fourfeet 4, preferably made of rubber or a similar material, and extendingthrough the side walls of the casing is a shaft 5, havingdetachab-lyconnected thereto an operating crank 6. Before operating the machine,the casings are clamped to each other by press ing down on a handle I,which controls a latching device hereinafter described.

Mounted on the upper side edge of the casing t, is a metal guide strip 8which supports a pair of spaced check guides 9 and 1-0, which aretransverseto strip 8 and slidable thereon.

Attached to the side .of easing 3. is a small plate H having a pair ofspaced ears i2 which serve as stops for an .arm l3 projecting upwardlyfrom a downwardly directed arm l4 pivoted at P5 to the plate H. Thelower end of arm M is positioned so that it will' be slightly above acheck between the guides '9 and iiLand the arm l4 hasits lower extremitybent to provide a lip I 6 transverse to the guide strip 8 and toindicate the line of printing of the machine, thus enabling readyadjusting of a check in the guides 9 and I0 so that the printing may be.on any desired line on the check.

The upper plate. 1.1 .of easing 3 has a plurality of V check,andkmovi'ng in a slot 21' is a knob 22 connected to a device,hereinafter described, for

The arms {9 are resettingthe type bars to their initial position toenable the setting of the machine to write a different amount.

Referring to Fig.4 there is shown the underside of casing 3 havingmounted thereon a plurality of metal spacing strips 23, (see Fig. 5)each of which has attached thereto a transverse vflange 24, fitting ingrooves in the lower portion" of type bars 25, which have type 26attached to 'the understide thereof, (see Fig. 6). The flanges 24provideguiding and supporting means for the type bars at a point as nearthe typeas practicable, and thus prevent tilting of the typebars anduneven printing of the type.

As'is shownin Fig. 4, the plurality of type bars '25 are spaced fromeach other and guided'by the strips 23; and each type bar has alongitudinal groove in'which moves a pawl 2'! engaging ratchet teeth 28formed onuthe type bar. The pawl 21' .is in the form of a small rollermounted on the end of an'arm 29, of a rocker which is pivotally mountedon a shaft 30 supported by the side Walls of easing 3. The rocker has ashort depending ::arm 3! which abuts one end of a small compressionspring 32, the other endof the spring :abuttinga bracket 33. It will beseen that the thrust of spring 32 maintains the pawl'in en- .gag'ementwith the ratchet 28'and prevents accidental slipping of the type barregardless of its :position. The spring exerts a thrustsubstantiall yequal to the weightof the type bar.

The-spacing strips 23 are 'maintained in rela- 35 attached thereto.

The symbols, T36, 31, DOLS and GT5 are permanently mounted, anda'detachable plate 38 "bearing the name of the proprietor, organizationtive positions by transverse spacing, plates 34', a

or thelike is held inpcsitionby a detent 39 restingin a .notchin theplate 38, the detent as being attached to a lever 4 normally urged bya'coiled spring to :hold the detent in the notch.

Referring to Fig. 16, there isshown a' plan view of the lower casing 'l,with the upper casing 3 removed. Mounted o'hthe inner side walls ofcasing :I are apair of channel guides 4 i, in which moverol'lers izrotatably mounted on a plate 43,

the latter having also attached thereto a pair -of leaf spring fingers 43,- and upturned lugs 44',

which frictional'ly engage the sides and upper 'Zfion the ty-pegbars,while the rollers 4-7 and 48 serve as reservoirs to maintain roller 48properly Attached to plate zit is a metal plate 49 having an angle[shaped cam slot 5% in which moves a roller 5! mounted on an arm'52fixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft fifi, the lower end of theshafthaving fixed thereto an arm 54 pivoted, 7 to a 'transversearm 55integral with a bar 56,.

which'has-a; forked extremity 57 andtfi embrace in-g the shaft '5, (seeFig. 11),]

The fork 51 has a' block e9 attached to the end thereof, and a secondblock 68 is fixed to the "-ba1fl56 and" slightly spaced from block 59,while orr fork 5 B is a stop pin'ffii. Fixed to shaft 5 (see Figs. 12 13; 14, and' '15) is an arm 62 having a pinits projecting therefrom. Asthe arm 52 is rotated clockwise the pin engages the surface 64 of blockto move the bar rearwardly to rotate "shaft 53 to cause roller 5| tomove in the cam all 2,047,939 slot 50 to draw the plate 43 back towardsthe shaft 53. Movement of the plate 43 continues until the peak I30 ofthe angle cam slot 50 has been passed. Thereafter, further movement ofarm roller I in the same direction in the slot 50 has no effect upon theplate 43, and movement of the latter ceases.

When shaft 5 and arm 62 are rotated counterclockwise, (Fig. 15) the pin63 does not engage block 60 and has no effect on the bar 56 until itengages block 59, when it will move the bar 50 to the left (see Figs.11, 12, 13, Hand 15) to move the roller 5| in the opposite direction inthe cam slot 50 to return the plate 43 to its original position. Thestructure above described enables the proper timing of the inkingmechanism movements so that it will not interfere with the printingoperations, at the same time enabling the machine to be operated by asimple forward and back movement of the crank 6. It will be seen thatthe considerable lost motion inherent in the forked bar 55 and the camslot 53, prevents'returnof the inking mechanism to inking positionbefore the printing parts are out of the way.

Supported by the side walls of the casing I is a pin 65 which pivotallysupports one end of a U-shaped frame 05;, the legs 61 'of which carry,at their extremities, the rollers 68 engaging the cams 6 0 fixed to theshaft 5, (see Fig. 3) Supported by the legs 67 is a pin I0 havingrotatably mounted thereon the arms II of a bracket I2, which has avertical plate I3 arranged to engage the underside of the: ink trough45. A cross-bar 14 (see Fig. is fixed to the legs 61 and supports acompression spring of predetermined strength, the spring bearing againstthe bracket l2, so that when the vertical plate "I3 bears against thetrough 45, the latter will move upward to cause the roll 46 to apply inkto the type 25 with a pressure which cannot exceed thestrength of thespring. In this manner,

uniform inking is assured, and there is no wasting of ink because ofvarying pressures.

Fixed to the shaft 5 are a pair of arms I6 pivotally connected to linksTl, which are rotatable on ashaft I8, thelatter being supported by apair of arms 19 rotatably mounted on a shaft 80 having its lower portionbent to provide a shoul-,

der 85 engaging a set screw 81 threadedly mounted'in the plateBI. Thebottom of the casing has an aperture 88 to enable access to the setscrew for the purpose of adjusting the plate 85. The upper edge of plate85 supports a platen bar 89 having its upper surface provided with a'plurality of parallelrows af spaced pointed small pyramids. Theunderside of the scarifying. bar 89 has a groove slightly wider than theplate 85 sothat the bar 89 can have a slight rocking movement thereon,similar tothe mounting of the platen bar I00, which has a groove I03wider than the plate 95, (see Fig. '7). Bar I00 has a bayonet slot IOIwhich cooperates with a pin I02 on the plate 0|, (see Fig. 7) and thebar 89 has a similar mounting and connection on the plate 85.

An upstanding plate 90 has adjustably connected thereto the plate 9|,having its lower end bent to provide a shoulder 92 engaging an adjustingscrew 53 which can be manipulated through the aperture 88. The plate 90is connected to the side arms 94 pivotally mounted on a pin 95 supportedby the walls of the casing. 5 The pin 05 passes through elongated slots96 in the arms 94 to enable the latter to be adjusted by means of anadjusting screw 99 engaging a cross bar 91 connected with the side arms94, said screw 99 being supported by a bracket 98 pivotally mounted onthe pin 95. As above described, the platen bar I00 is rockably mountedon the plate 9|, said bar having its upper surface serrated as shown atI08.

The arms 94 are pivotally secured to a pair 15 of links I04 which arepivotally mounted on the shaft '18.

The scarifying bar 89 is arranged to cooperate with an upper matrixplate I05 having a plurality of grooves I06 registering with the spacedrows of small pyramids I 01 on the bar 89, the plate I05 contacting theedges of spacers 23 and being spaced from the type 26, the latter havinga serrated surface. The plate I05 is supported by a bar I09 which isslidably mounted on a frame 25 III) to which is attached a spring III,also connected to the sliding bar I09 to normally urge the plate I05 toa predetermined position. A screw I I2 enables, adjustment of the normalposition of plate I05, and a screw II3 limits movement of the bar in onedirection. The sliding bar I09 has an arm I I4 connected thereto andcarrying a roller I I5 which engages an upstanding arm I I6 attached tothe plate 43. When the plate 43 moves to the left (see Fig. 11; the armII 6 engages the roller I I5 to move the matrix plate I05 back out ofthe way of the inking roller.

For proper operation of my machine it is essential that the upper casing3 be tightly clamped to the lower casing I. For this purpose, I providea novel latching device (see Figs. 19 and 20) which comprises a ledgeIll mounted on the lower casing, and a hasp II 9 having a centralopening in which is positioned a circular disc I20 eccentrically mountedon a squared shaft I2I. 45 On each side of the hasp and disc are platesI22 through which the shaft passes also. The plates I22 carry a pin I23which, in one direction of movement, engages the hasp H9 to limitrotation'of the disc I20 and plates. In operation, when the handle I isforced downward, the eccentric disc I20 and the hasp move together untilthe hasp engages the ledge I II, at which time the disc continues torotate, but, rotary motion of the hasp being arrested, the eccentricaction of the disc causes an upward movement, of the hasp against theunder side of the ledge, and thus provides a very tight latching of thetwo casings. Rotary movement of the disc I20 is limited by engagement ofthe pin I23 with the hasp in one direction; or'by engagement with aprojection I24 on the hasp in the opposite direction.

In operation, the upper casing 3 is tightly clamped to the lower casingI. The type is then set to the desired amount by manipulating the typebars 25 by means of the knobs 20.

A check is then inserted between the guides 9,

I0, which are adjusted until the indicator I6 is directly over the lineupon the check where it is desired to print the set amount. The partsare now in the positions shown in Fig. 8, with the inking rollerdirectly beneath the type. The crank 6 is then rotated towards the latchhandle I, to rotate the shaft 5. At the beginning of the movement, thecam 69 engages the roller 68 to 7 Atis'stationary, and the upstandingplate H5 maintains the matrix plate I95 out of the way. Furthermovementof shaft 5, causes the plate 43 to move to the right, (Fig. 9) drawingthe roller 36 over the type to insure complete and uniform inking. Asthe plate 43 moves to the 'right, carrying with it the inking trough androllers'spring iI'I urges the matrix plate I95 in the same directionuntil it reaches the position shown in Fig. 10.

I Inthe meantime, rotation of shaft 5 is causing the bars 89 and ltd tomove upward. The bar 99 rises first, as shown in Fig. 9, and then barI99 reaches its upward position: to pressthe' check tightly against thetype 29. 'The type 26 is serrated and cooperates with the serrations I93on "the bar I99 to provide a proper impression, the

bar lIJ-ii'having a slight rocking and longitudinal movement to assureregistration of the serrations on the typeand the bar. The bar 99 isbeing pressed upward to perforate thepaper over the name of the payee.Near the completion of the up movement of part9, it is given a finalupward thrust' by the lowered portion IIS of the plate 8i passing overthe shaft I3. The small sharp pyramids Mil on the upper surface of bar89 register with the grooves in the plate i955 to pierce the paper. Thegrooves I99 are of considerable length to enable proper registration toaccommodate various adjustments of the plate.

to the bar I25 is a transverse cross-bar I 2? car- Tyin a roller I28which rides on one of the spacing strips 22%. In clearing the machine,the crossbar Iii-E is moved to engage the ends I29 (see Fig. 9) of thetype bars to force them to their initial positions. I I I ,I From theabove description it will be seen that I have provided an effectivecheck writi ng machine in which complete and uniform inking of the typeis insured, the type making an even and uniform impression, and properoperation of the perforator or scarifier and other parts of the machineis certain at all times. My mechanism enables extended use of themachine without reinkI- ing of the rollers, and the pressure on the typeis through the paper, producing a positive scarifyingaction. a

I It will be noted that in the inking of theprinting charactersimmediately preceding the printing of the characters on a check, theinktrough' sides, and are guided by the channel guides ii, I0,

which extend across the machine and are adjustably mounted on the guidestrip 8, which extends ment, which equally distributes the forces transnoted in the appended'claims. j I 3 the .length of .the' machine. Theguides 9, 'Illare provided. with leaf springs I4I whichfrictionally gripthe strip 8 to hold 'theIguides in adjusted positions; I (See Fig. 3.) IIt'is obvious that my ar- I rangement'enables the printing of amounts on'5 checks'of allsizes, and on various'sizes of commercial papers, whichheretofore could not be fitted to a check writing machine. The guides 9,

II] can be adjusted for handling paper the length of the'machine, andwhen it is desired to print on a larger sheetof paper, the upper c asing3 can be raisedto insertthe paper. The upward movement of guide 9 andthe downward movement of guide IIlare limited by a pinl42 projectingfrom I the side of the guide strip 8. 15 In my latching device, (seeFigs. 19, in order to prevent the haspfrom swinging too 'far to theright when the upper casing 3 is' raised, I provide a stop M3, whichengages the hasp and maintains the hasp in proper position .to engagethe ledge 20 I I when the upper casing'is lowered. I

The upper casingii of the machine is inclined, and after the knob '22has been moved upwardly in its slot 2! to clear the machine, it fallsback by gravity to its normal out-of-the-way position. My clearingdevice is very simple in'structure and positive and rapid in operation.It should, also, be noted that should one typebar be erroneously set, itis not necessary to clear the entire machine to correct the error as isthe case with other check writing machines. Sincethe type bars can bemoved freely up or down, it is only necessary to manipulate theparticular type bar which may be in error. I I V I The latch showninFigs. 19, 20, is mounted in 3 the center ofone .end of casings I and 3.This mounting of the latch, together with. the two links 2, whichhingedly connect the casings together; provide a three-point'clampingarrange- 40 versely over the casings. I

In order to'accommodate various spacings between lines on a check, thatis the spacing between the line bearing the name of a payee, and

the line bearing the amount of the check, I have 7 provided means foradjusting the distance between the scarifying bar 89 and the platen barI00.

The platenbarlfii) may be adjusted as has already been explained. I 1 aI As shown in Figs 10 and- 22, the ends of the arms 82 of the frame,which supports the-scarifying'bar89, are pivotally mounted on the shaft83 and supported by the arms I99 of the adjustable frame 'IGI, which ispivotallyfmounted upon the shaft 95. The arms I59 of the adjustableframe IBI, are connected by a cross bar I45, the center portion of whichis apertured to receive a threaded nut and threaded bolt, I96, thethread- .ed nut being surrounded'by' a coiled spring I41 1 which abutsagainst the cross bar I45 and a plate I48 fixed to the rear of the lowercasing. I The bolt I45 has a rounded head I49 movable in and slightlylarger than an elongated slot in I I I V the plate I48. By adjusting thebolt I46, the arms 82 maybe brought forward or backward, and therebyregulate the distance between the bar 89 descriptive andillustrative'only, and not as. re-

'strictiveor limitative of the inventiongof which obviously anembodiment may be constructed includingv many modificationsvwithoutdeparting from the general scope herein indicated and de' Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is:

1. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, a platen bar, means to cause said bar to press a check intoprinting engagement with one of the printing characters, an inkingroller to ink the printing character immediately preceding each printingoperation and means acting through a check to press the inking rollerinto engagement with the printing character with a predetermined force.

2. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check into printing contactwith one of the characters, an inking roller, and means acting throughthe check to move the inking roller upwardly and laterally into contactwith the printing character immediately preceding each printing actionof the platen.

3. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check into printing contactwith one of the characters, an inking device to ink the printingcharacter immediately preceding each printing action of the bar, a barhaving a plurality of parallel rows of sharp points on its uppersurface, a matrix plate having a plurality of grooves registering withsaid rows of sharp points, means to move said sharp pointed bar upwardto force a check against said matrix plate to perforate the check, andmeans to move the matrix plate out of the way of the inking deviceduring the inking operation.

4. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, an inking device comprising an ink trough rotatably supportingthree contacting rollers, and means to move one of the rollers intoinking engagement with one of the printing characters with apredetermined resilient force.

5. In a check writer, a plurality of slidable type bars having printingcharacters on one side thereof, said bars having longitudinal grooves intheir sides adjacent the printing characters, metal spacing platesseparating the type bars, and flanges on said plates positioned in saidgrooves to support and guide the type bars.

6. In a check writer, a slidable type bar having printing characters onone side thereof and a longitudinal groove with ratchet teeth formedtherein, a roller adapted to engage the ratchet teeth, an arm upon whichthe roller is mounted, and resilient means to exert an upward pressureon the arm and roller substantially equal to the weight of the type barto prevent the accidental stopping of the type bar between printingcharacters.

'7. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check into printing engagementwith one of the characters, said bar having a longitudinal groove in itsbottom, a vertical plate having its upper edge resting in the groove andsupporting the bar, said groove being slightly wider than the thicknessof the plate to enable the platen bar to rock during a printing action.

8. In a check writer, a slidable type bar having printing characters onone side thereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check into printingengagement with one of the printing characters, a scarifying bar havinga plurality of parallel rows of sharp points thereon, a matrix platehaving a plurality of grooves registering with said rows of sharppoints, screw means to adjust the scarifying bar relative to the platenbar, resilient means normally maintaining said matrix plate in apredetermined normal position, and screw means to 5 vary the normalposition of the matrix plate.

9. In a check writing machine, a lower casing, an upper casing, a pairof links hingedly connecting said casings at one end, said links beingspaced from the adjacent end of the lower casing and having a projectionpivotally connected to the lower part of the lower casing, and alatching device at the other end of the casing, said latching devicebeing in the center of the ends of the casings and clamping said casingstogether to provide with the hinge connections a threepoint evendistribution of forces across said casings.

10. In a check writing machine, a plurality of slidable type bars havingprinting characters on one side thereof, an inking device comprising atrough having inking rollers rotatably mounted therein, means forsupporting and guiding a check beneath said type bars, and means beneathand acting against said check to raise the trough to bring one of theinking rollers into contact with the printing characters on the typebars.

ll. In a check writing machine, an inclined casing having a plurality oftype bars slidably mounted thereon, pawl and ratchet means to hold saidbars in various positions of adjustment, a cross bar slidably mountedtransversely of the casing, and means to enable the cross bar to bemoved longitudinally of the casing to reset the type bars to apredetermined initial position, said cross bar returning by gravity to aposition out of the Way of the type bars.

12. In a check writing machine, a slidable matrix plate having aplurality of parallel grooves, a scari'fying bar having a plurality ofparallel rows of sharp points registering with said grooves, means tomove the scarifying bar upward against a check to cooperate with thematrix plate to perforate the check, and resilient means to normallymaintain the matrix plate in a predetermined position.

13. In a check writing machine, a type bar having printing characters onone side thereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check into printingengagement with one of the characters, said bar having a groove in thebottom thereof, a support for the platen bar, said support being looselypositioned in the groove of the platen bar to enable the platen bar torock upon the support during a printing action.

14. In a check writer, a type bar having printing characters on one sidethereof, a platen bar adapted to press a check upwardly into printingengagement with one of the characters, a support for the platen bar, andmeans for loosely 60 mounting'the platen bar on the support to enablethe platen bar to rock transversely of its length during a printingaction.

15. In a check writer, a slidable type bar having printing characters onone side thereof, a 65 platen bar adapted to press a check upwardly intoprinting engagement with one of the printing characters, a scarifyingbar adapted to move upwardly to scarify a check, and independent meansto adjust the relative positions of the 7 scarifying bar and the platenbar.

PLINY CATUCCI.

